New Mexico Judge Resigns After Allegedly Housing Tren de Aragua Gang Member

Allegations Against Judge Joel Cano

• 🚨 A New Mexico judge, Joel Cano, resigned after a suspected Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang member, Christian Ortega Lopez, was arrested at his property.
• 📌 Court documents reveal Ortega Lopez was allegedly living in a casita on the judge's property, doing odd jobs for the judge's wife.
• 💡 Ortega Lopez reportedly knew it was illegal for him to possess firearms and had tattoos associated with the TdA gang.

Judicial Consequences and Legal Proceedings

• ⚖️ The State Judicial Standards Commission petitioned to suspend Judge Cano for allegedly harboring a TdA gang member.
• 🚫 The New Mexico Supreme Court subsequently barred Cano for life from holding or running for any judicial office.
• ⚠️ There is currently no indication that Judge Cano himself is under investigation.

Suspect's Entry and Release

• 🚶 Ortega Lopez allegedly entered the U.S. illegally in Eagle Pass, Texas, in December 2023.
• 📄 He was reportedly released with a notice to appear in court.